Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Assets (copy enclosed) updating members on the 2014/15 element of the Capital Plan and seeking approval of the projects identified for inclusion in the Capital Plan.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance and Assets presented the report (previously circulated) updating members on the 2014/15 element of the Capital Plan and seeking approval of the  2015/16 Capital Plan together with projects identified for inclusion as recommended by the Strategic Investment Group and capital allocations arising from the Ruthin primary area review proposals.  He guided members through the report and drew attention to the following sections –

 

·        a summary of the General Capital Plan and the Corporate Plan element

·        a summary of capital projects by service area and individual schemes

·        updates of major capital projects

·        recommendations of the Strategic Investment Group including the reasoning behind the pre-allocation of capital receipts for particular projects, and

·        Ruthin area primary provision – funding was in place as part of the Corporate Plan but Council approval was required for actual allocation.

 

Councillor Thompson-Hill responded to questions raised regarding various aspects of the Capital Plan and specific allocations, including progress with various schemes.  Main areas of discussion focused on the following –

 

·        reference was made to the complexities of external funding and it was agreed to include a members’ briefing on European funding and other external funding at a future Council briefing session – the amount of external funding secured for particular projects was included in Cabinet’s monthly finance reports

·        it was requested that Local Members be made fully aware of the sale of assets and capital receipts generated in their areas

·        in terms of the street lighting programme it was explained that the scheme aimed to replace existing lanterns with LED lanterns on a like for like basis.  Whilst the new lanterns provided better quality directional light minimising light pollution, it was accepted there would be merit in reviewing existing provision to ascertain whether a reduction was warranted in particular areas

·        the merits of the provisional allocation of £1.615m to deliver a programme of urban regeneration through the supply of modern business accommodation was discussed with approximately 7/8 schemes currently being considered, including Cil Medw.  Reference was also made to the transformation of the former Bee & Station Hotel into office space and the need for that enterprise to be fully utilised

·        the reasoning behind previous, current and future investment in specific schools was discussed together with the Council’s aim of improving standards in education and buildings across the whole county and an acknowledgement of the significant achievements already made in that regard over recent years.  An explanation of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools funding was provided and although the Council was in a position to progress the school building proposals for the Ruthin area without reliance on 21st century schools funding, in view of the Council’s foresight and planning there was a possibility that Band A funding could be secured for those projects

·        during consideration of the capital allocations for primary provision in the Ruthin area the proposal for the two schools (relocation of Rhos Street/Ysgol Penbarras) on a shared site at Glasdir was clarified.  There was some discussion about the Minister’s decision to reject the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr despite concluding that there was a coherent educational case for the proposal which would result in a fairer distribution of funding across the county’s schools.  The Chief Executive responded to questions and comments raised in that regard advising that he did not agree with the Minister’s decision and there was a clear case in favour of the proposal.  Assurances could not be provided regarding future consultation processes in light of Welsh Government dynamics but assurances were given that future consultations would be as watertight as possible.  It was confirmed that consultation costs were met from with the modernising education service budget

·        members were advised of the policy to offer former school buildings to the local community in the first instance and appropriate timescales were being prepared for those business cases before buildings were offered on the open market.  Capital receipts generated from the sale of former school buildings would be earmarked for modernising education projects but current projects were not dependent on schools capital receipts to be financially viable

·        Councillor Eryl Williams proposed an amendment to the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill to include an additional resolution to reflect the Council’s proactive financial planning in relation to funding from windfarm developments for future capital investment.

 

Tribute was paid to the work of officers and the Strategic Investment Group within the process which had resulted in equitable recommendations being put forward for capital investment across the whole county.

 

Members voted on the report recommendations and amendment as follows –

 

32 votes for, 0 against and 1 abstention

 

RESOLVED that Council –

 

(a)       note the latest position on the 2014/15 element of the Capital Plan and the update on major projects;

 

(b)       support the recommendation of the Strategic Investment Group as detailed in Appendix 5 and summarised in Appendix 6 to the report;

 

(c)        approve the 2015/16 Capital Plan, and

 

(d)       approve business cases and capital allocation for the Ruthin Area Primary provision:

 

·        the replacement of the existing Rhos Street/Ysgol Pen Barras provision at the Glasdir site

·        a new school building for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn

·        a new school building for the Llanfair and Pentrecelyn area school, subject to the outcome of the school organisation proposals, and

 

(e)       recommends that officers look proactively at the use of funding from windfarm developments within the county in future capital plans.

 

At this juncture (11.55 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.